Israel rejects conditions for resuming peace talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Cabinet ministers affirmed in a meeting that Israel will not accept conditions for resuming direct negotiations with the Palestinians.

The Palestinians want the framework and agenda of negotiations worked out in advance.

Under an emerging compromise, the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators – the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia – was expected to issue an invitation for direct talks that would list underlying principles and a time frame.

However an official in Mr Netanyahu’s office, who spoke on condition of anonymity because no government statement was made, said the prime minister and his top ministers decided in a meeting to hold out for a separate invitation from the United States without preconditions.